Bicycle Fun in Irving

Fun for everyone—with or without a bicycle: Irving hosted the annual Irving Bicycle Fest on Saturday, May 10, at Lively Pointe Youth Center and Skate Park.

“This fest celebrates cycling,” says Francesca Funk, co-founder of Bike Irving, which partners with the City of Irving & Green Advisory Board and Irving ISD in organizing this event. “Cycling is one of those rare things that’s good on so many levels: it feels exhilarating and joyous; it clears away mental cobwebs and makes your body lean and strong; it leaves you with more money in your pocket; and it helps our planet be a healthier place for our kids and grandkids. That’s definitely cause for celebration,” states Funk.

Due to the popularity of the fest, more activities and attractions were added for 2014:

• Professional BMX stunt show by Big Time Actionsports

• Fun group rides

• Earn-A-Bike opportunity: Come fix up a used bike, and you’ve earned it! (sponsored by Bike Irving & Bear Creek Community Church, and Dallas Off-Road Bicycling Association)

• Kids’ Bike Rodeo (Bike DFW)

• Helmet giveaway for children who qualify (Texas Medical Association, Richardson Bike Mart, Irving ISD and Bike Irving)

• Electric bicycles (Rocket Electrics); Cargo bikes (Oak Cliff Cargo Bicycles); Low-rider bicycles (Texas Legacy C.C.), Unicycles (DFW Unicycle Club); and a pop-up Vintage Bike Shop

• Gourmet Food Trucks

Fest goers were able to try out all kinds of bicycles (including handmade European-style cargo bikes and the latest in hi-tech electric bicycles), visit with the Bike Police of the Irving Police Department, make a fruit smoothie using pedal power, check out the bike rack on a DART bus, and see unique cycling groups. One of the popular activities was the Kids’ Bike Safety Rodeo. Children learned about safe bicycling firsthand by riding their bicycles around a skills course and a mock street course designed to show young cyclists where and how to apply bicycling laws. Plus, thanks to the support and help of the Texas Medical Association Foundation—with matching donations from Richardson Bike Mart and Bike Irving—bicycle helmets were given away to qualified youngsters. Funding for the TMA’s Hard Hats for Little Heads is provided by the Texas Medical Association Foundation thanks to top donors – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Prudential, two anonymous foundations, and gifts from physicians and their families.